Horizon Pharma HQ opens with 60 city jobs

The jobs will be rolled out at the offices in Connaught House, on Dublin's Burlington Road over the next three years.

Twenty are already in their posts, with the remainder yet to be filled. The new recruits will fill positions in areas such as Research and Development, supply chain and finance.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and IDA chief executive Martin Shanahan attended the opening yesterday in the heart of D4.

Mr Kenny said the country's reputation as a location for business and investment in the life sciences has been boosted by the announcement.

SECURE

"Attracting companies like Horizon Pharma to establish and create jobs in Ireland is one of the Government's key missions as we work to secure the recovery and ensure that more people begin to feel the benefits in their daily lives," the Taoiseach said.

Horizon is a speciality biopharmaceutical company focused on identifying, developing, acquiring and commercialising products. The company markets a portfolio of products in arthritis, inflammation and orphan diseases.

Mr Shanahan said Ireland has built up a cluster of biopharma companies.

"This cluster has been further strengthened by Horizon Pharma's decision to locate its new HQ in Dublin and create sustainable employment across a number of business functions."

Timothy P Walbert, Horizon chief executive, said the opening was a significant milestone in the company's development.

"We are very impressed with the economic progress Ireland has made in recent years and we believe the outlook for the economy is very positive."

Mr Walbert said the access to a talented workforce is better here than elsewhere in Europe.

He also admitted there was a tax advantage, saying the US tax system was unfair.

"The access to talent is better here than anywhere else in Europe," he said.